Empowering Future Leaders: Navigating Women in Transportation Scholarships
The transportation industry is undergoing a significant transformation, and women are playing an increasingly vital role in shaping its future. To support and encourage the participation of women in this dynamic field, numerous scholarships are available at the local, national, and international levels. These scholarships not only provide financial assistance but also foster the development of leadership skills and create opportunities for networking and mentorship.
The Mission of WTS: Fostering Women in Transportation
WTS (formerly known as the Women's Transportation Seminar) is a leading international organization dedicated to advancing women in the transportation industry. A core part of their mission involves fostering the development of women, girls, and non-binary individuals by encouraging them to pursue careers in various transportation-related fields. This is achieved through various initiatives, including the provision of scholarships, mentorship programs, and networking events. WTS actively encourages bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in the area of transportation.
WTS Colorado Chapter Scholarships
The WTS Colorado Chapter actively supports exceptional young women pursuing transportation careers by awarding six local scholarships annually. These scholarships help encourage new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation.
Eligibility and Application Details:
- Applicants should be attending school in Colorado or Wyoming, and/or reside in Colorado or Wyoming.
- Scholarship applications open Monday, Sept. 1.
- All applications and supporting documents are due no later than Wednesday, Oct.
WTS Foundation Scholarships
The WTS Foundation offers scholarships to students pursuing careers in transportation through undergraduate and graduate programs. These scholarships are competitive and awarded based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record, and transportation-related activities or job skills. The scholarships are sponsored by WTS International Pinnacle and Strategic Level Corporate Partners.
Additional Requirements:
It's important to note that local WTS chapters may have additional requirements for scholarship applications, such as personal interviews or higher GPA requirements.
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Specific WTS Scholarships: Honoring Leaders and Shaping the Future
WTS offers a variety of scholarships, each with its own specific focus and criteria. Several of these scholarships are named in honor of influential women in the transportation industry, recognizing their contributions and inspiring future generations.
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship, in the amount of $5,000, is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field. The scholarship honors Sharon D. Banks, who served as the chief executive officer of AC Transit in Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, California, throughout most of the 1990s. Banks was a pioneering leader who introduced cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce. WTS fosters the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field by awarding the WTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1981 by WTS International, the Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship encourages women and non-binary persons to pursue career paths in transportation. The scholarship was named in memory of Helene M. Overly, the first Executive Secretary of WTS, to honor her dedicated service to the organization. Helene became a WTS member in 1981.
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship
The purpose of the WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women and non-binary persons who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry. This scholarship recognizes that the leadership, skills, and perspectives of women and non-binary persons are essential to assure that the transportation systems of the future respond to the needs of all.
Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship
WTS launched the Leadership Legacy Scholarship in 2007. The Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Fund honors the past, present, and future leaders of WTS by awarding an annual scholarship to female graduate students pursuing a career in transportation. Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate degrees in transportation or a related field and demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service. Each year, the Leadership Legacy Scholarship will provide a $5,000 award to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation.
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WTS-Boston Chapter Scholarships
The WTS-Boston Chapter offers several scholarships to support women pursuing transportation-related studies in the Boston area. The 2026 Boston Chapter Scholarship Program application period is open through Friday, November 21, 2025, 5pm. Scholarship winners will be announced in February 2026 and receive recognition at the WTS-Boston Annual Awards & Scholarships Banquet held in June 2026.
General Requirements:
- Applicants need to be WTS-Boston members. Student memberships are no cost.
- Students can win particular scholarships only once.
Specific Scholarships Offered:
- High School Scholarship: The WTS-Boston Chapter is offering a high school scholarship in the amount of $2,000.
- Jacquelyn R. Smith Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: The WTS-Boston Chapter Jacquelyn R. Smith Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship is in the amount of $4,000. The winning recipient’s application is then forwarded to the WTS Foundation for consideration for the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship.
- Ann Hershfang Graduate Scholarship: The WTS-Boston Chapter Ann Hershfang Graduate Scholarship is in the amount of $4,000. The winning recipient’s application is then forwarded to the WTS Foundation for consideration for the International WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship.
WTS Puget Sound Chapter Scholarships
Each year, the WTS Puget Sound Chapter awards tens of thousands of dollars to deserving women and non-binary students pursuing careers in the transportation industry. The scholarship recipients are recognized and presented with their awards during the annual WTS Puget Sound Gala.
Specific Scholarships Offered:
- Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship: The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to encourage women and non-binary persons to pursue career paths in transportation or a related field. This scholarship provides needs-based assistance to students in honor of Shawna’s dedicated service to WTS and the transportation industry. The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $7,000. Shawna valued mentoring, believing we are all responsible for each other; generosity and giving with your heart; adventure and trying new things; contributing value and striving for excellence; really listening; and living a full life with dedication to family, community, arts, expression, and nature. Shawna Mulhall was a woman who overcame obstacles in her life through her connection to others, hard work, and her devotion to build stronger, more vibrant communities through her work in urban and transportation planning. She made significant sacrifices to put herself through college. She was a natural leader in transportation in a number of private and public roles in the Northwest.
- Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship: The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship was established in spring 2019 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to motivate women and non-binary persons to pursue career paths related to transportation planning and policy. The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades but rather passion for the field of transportation, work ethic, and determination. Cathy Strombom was one of the women leaders who founded the WTS Puget Sound Chapter in 1982; its mission to advance women in transportation kept it close to her heart throughout her career. In 1989 Cathy was awarded the WTS Puget Sound Woman of the Year for Achievement in Transportation and in 2010 she was awarded Member of the Year. During Cathy’s 34-year career at WSP she founded and grew the Seattle Transportation Planning Group, making it into the company’s largest planning group outside of the corporate headquarters. Cathy and her team provided leadership on many of the transportation projects that have shaped the Puget Sound Region, including the Downtown Transit Tunnel, the SR 520 Bridge Replacement, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement, and all of Sound Transit’s long range and system plans.
- Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship: The Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades, but on a passion for the field of sustainable transportation, a strong work ethic and a passion for advocacy. It is an award acknowledging the student’s potential to take a leadership role in advancing sustainable, climate-friendly transportation solutions. Jemae Hoffman dedicated her entire career - and a significant percentage of her unrelenting life-energy - to advancing sustainable, climate-friendly, urban transportation solutions. This included high-impact stints as executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, sustainable transportation and climate change lead at the Seattle Department of Transportation, and development manager at Sound Transit, where she led the complex effort to extend light rail to Federal Way and the east side of Lake Washington. In addition, Jemae was an avid cyclist and a passionate advocate for active transportation.
- Scott Rutherford Scholarship: Scott Rutherford saw the promise of public transit and shared his passion with students over the decades he taught at the University of Washington. He saw education as the great equalizer and understood the importance of gender equity and diversity within the engineering profession and transportation fields.
Transportation YOU Scholarship
WTS awards the Transportation YOU Scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering, and math. Transportation YOU is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers young girls and non-binary youth ages 13-18 an introduction to a wide variety of transportation careers. This scholarship aims to foster the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation.
General Eligibility Criteria
While specific requirements vary depending on the scholarship, some common eligibility criteria include:
- Gender Identity: Most scholarships are specifically for women and non-binary individuals.
- Academic Standing: Applicants typically need to have a strong academic record.
- Transportation Focus: Applicants should be pursuing studies in transportation or a related field (e.g., engineering, planning, logistics, etc.).
- Career Goals: A clear statement of career goals in the transportation industry is usually required.
- WTS Membership: Some scholarships require or prefer applicants to be members of WTS.
Crafting a Strong Application
A compelling scholarship application goes beyond simply meeting the eligibility requirements. It's an opportunity to showcase your passion for transportation, your leadership potential, and your commitment to making a difference in the field.
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Key Components of a Strong Application:
- Personal Statement: A well-written personal statement is crucial. It should articulate your specific transportation goals, highlight your relevant experiences and skills, and explain why you deserve the scholarship award. A statement about your career goals after graduation and why you think that you should receive the scholarship award. Statement should not exceed 500 words.
- Academic Transcripts: Provide accurate and up-to-date academic transcripts to demonstrate your academic performance.
- Letters of Recommendation: Seek letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, or employers who can speak to your abilities and potential.
- Extracurricular Activities: Highlight your involvement in transportation-related activities, such as internships, volunteer work, or participation in relevant organizations.
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